Rate My Professor Laurel Reed Pavic

Laurel Reed Pavic is an Associate Professor of Art History and Chair of Liberal Arts in the Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) at Willamette University. She earned a B.A. in 2002 and a Ph.D. in 2009 from the University of California, San Diego. As an art historian and self-proclaimed generalist, Pavic is deeply committed to fostering and contributing to the Portland and Oregon art ecosystem. She creates classroom environments at PNCA that prioritize lively conversation and vibrant collaborative learning. Beyond academia, she serves as Visual Arts Editor at Oregon ArtsWatch, where she regularly contributes reviews and essays on visual arts.

Pavic's doctoral research involved aggregating and analyzing scholarship on painters active in Dalmatia during the 15th and 16th centuries. This work highlighted how interpretations of these artists, traditions, and artworks varied widely over time, influenced by the perspectives of historians and contemporaneous political climates. Although her specific focus has shifted from Dalmatia, her core academic interests center on the ways art functions within narratives of cultural patrimony, nationalism, and identity. Previously listed as Department Head of Art History and Assistant Professor in PNCA's 2022-23 course catalog, she has advanced to her current associate professor role and chair position. Pavic has also participated in key institutional efforts at PNCA, co-leading a faculty task force with Dr. Shawna Lipton and others. As a thesis mentor for the MA in Critical Studies program, she guides student projects, such as explorations into watchful and accessible art writing. Her professional profile underscores a dedication to both scholarly inquiry and community engagement in the arts.